A Spiritual & Cultural Journey

The location of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean gives it a special religious significance. The island is a treasure trove of religious icons, mosaics and artifacts as well as ecclistiastical architecture.

Cyprus has see many important religious events, including the visit of Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas who converted the proconsul to Christianity during the Roman period. The saints were guided by Heraklidios, whose name is commemorated in the name of Ayios (Saint) Heraklidios Convent on the outskirts of Nicosia.

Places of worship are present in almost every village and picturesque churches with interesting details or unusual architecture feature are common sights.

Kykko Monastery, Cyprus

The island is also famous for its monasteries and convents. In the mountains of Troodos region, about 20km west of Pedoulas village, is the famous Kykko Monastery, founded in 1080 by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komnenos. The Monastery possesses one of the three surviving icons ascribed to Saint Luke and has an excellent museum where precious items and treasures that survived the ages are on display.

The Troodos region is also home to ten (10) beautifully painted Byzantine period churches which are so remarkable that are listed on UNESCO;s prestigious World Heritage.

Hala Sultan Mosque, Larnaca, Cyprus

Other than Christian holy places, Cyprus is proud to host a number of equally significant muslim and other religion worship places, such as the Hala Sultan Mosque, the Europa Nostra-prized Omerye Mosque, and many others. Perhaps because Cyprus has seen so many empires and cultural influences ebb and flow over the centuries, the country enjoys an exceedingly high level of freedom of worship. While the majority of Cypriots are Greek Orthodox Christian (85%), other religious faiths are represented on the island as well, including Armenians, Maronites, Roman Catholics, Latins and Muslims.